Owner's Corner

Related Articles: 
Hurricane Myth: leave windows slightly open
Vinyl Siding vs. Fiber Cement Does the Window Frame Really Matter? 

How To Reduce Fading And Damage To Drapes, Carpets, And Furnishings

Most homeowners are aware that the sun’s UV rays can cause your valuables to fade – we see it all the time on the cushions of our patio furniture, and even cars.  Just like the sun damages outdoor patio furniture, sunlight also causes extra wear and tear on your home and furnishings.  The sun and heat can damage anything that’s consistently in the sunlight, and it can cause valuables to age prematurely. So, how do you let the sunshine in your home and still protect your carpet, wood floors, drapes, pictures, and furnishings from the ultra violet light and the heat of the sun?  

Of course, some wear and tear is natural and cannot be prevented.   The right replacement windows and doors from Jim Olivier’ Home Improvement can help protect everything inside your home from damaging sun rays that penetrates windows and doors.    

Sun Rays On Furniture and Valuables Can Cause Oxidation... and Oxidation Causes Damage to Home Interior 

When the sun’s rays shine on through your windows and onto your furnishings, it can cause a process called oxidation. When your artwork, furnishings, or carpeting is oxidized, the fibers become weak and eventually breakdown. They are damaged and deteriorate a lot faster. Since UV light and heat are the principal causes of fading, we use protective glass to reduce the rate of oxidization on your furnishings, flooring, drapes, and other valuables you treasure. Windows with high-performance Low-E glass actually filter out much of the spectrum of UV light that causes fading. Using a low-emissivity glass in your new windows or doors will filter out much of the damaging UV light.    

Glass Has a Sun Protection Similar to SPF Ratings For Sunscreens

The glass in windows and doors carries a Fade Protection Factor (FPF) rating. Like Sun Protection Factor (SPF) for sunscreens, FPF is a rating achieved through independent laboratory testing. A higher FPF number means greater fade protection for household furnishings because virtually all of the UVa and UVb rays are being blocked by the glass and coatings. Clear glass for instance, has an FPF of only 2. Laminated glass systems offer particularly good fade protection—like Gorell’s Armor Glass Plus option that carries an FPF rating of 50 (the highest rating possible)!  We offer windows that contain ultraviolet light stabilizers, which block a lot of the ultraviolet light from the sun. It can dramatically reduce the damaging UV light that enters your home. 

The bottom line is this...

Nothing can completely prevent fading, but if homeowners want to keep their interior home furnishing looking newer and brighter for longer, they should consider high-performance replacement windows that help block the sun’s harmful rays from homes.

Which Windows Stand Up Best to Hurricane Force Winds?

When it comes to hurricane protection, focus on your windows. Some windows are far more susceptible to hurricanes than others. In fact, windows are rated by independent testers to determine how they perform under stress. The current gold-standard in testing is the Miami-Dade County hurricane impact test (otherwise known as the ASTM E 1996 test). When it comes to getting replacement windows anywhere around the New Iberia or Lafayette areas, you need to look for windows that meet or exceed the criteria of this test.  In fact, any areas that could be impacted by hurricanes, tornados or other high wind weather patterns should look to get windows that have passed this rigorous test. Remember, it is your life and your property. 

What Is Involved With The Impact Test, and Why Is It Important?

There are two types of impact-resistant window or door products: Large-Missile resistant and Small-Missile resistant.

Large-missile resistant: A product is tested as large-missile resistant after it has been exposed to various impacts with a piece of lumber weighing approximately 9 pounds, measuring 2" x 4.  

Small-missile resistant: A product is declared small-missile resistant after it has been exposed to various impacts with 10 ball bearings. 

Why It’s Important

You want to know if your window or door is likely to withstand the impact of things getting picked up and thrown at your houseby the wind!

Impact Windows ASTM testing

The impact tests do not guarantee the windows will survive a hurricane, but they do test specific conditions that they should survive. Impact survivability certainly helps home survivability. Once wind enters a building, it becomes much more likely that the structure will be significantly damaged. However, if you can maintain the structural shell of your house or business, you are significantly more likely to save the structure. Of course, wind is most likely to break through a window or a door, so it is imperative to protect all the openings in your building. Call Jim Olivier’s Home Improvement to find out which windows or doors will provide the best protection for your home or office building.  

Hurricane Truth or Myth, Take 2: Taping Windows or Adding Hurricane Window Film Provides Adequate Protection During a Storm

Taping windows does not provide the protection you need from hurricanes. One of the biggest fallacies that people believe in is that taping your windows can actually protect your windows against hurricane breaches. A breach is when the hurricane winds find or create an opening and hurricane-force winds rush into your home. Remember, tape can help keep fragments from a shattered window from flying through your home (though it doesn't do very well at preventing that, either) – but taping your windows doesn't stop breaches from occurring.   

Do you honestly think that a little bit of tape on the glass is going to stop 150 mph gusts from blowing through a crack in the window?

Hurricane window film is about as effective as taping the windows. Once the wind breaks through, there is little hope of stopping the damage. While powerful winds blow over your home, the inward thrust and pressure from the breach build on the inside of your home. Just like the wing of an airplane, your entire roof structure can lift right off the top of your home. Once the roof structure is gone, the walls can collapse under the pressure of the wind.  

Does Plywood Offer Protection from Hurricanes?

Covering your windows with plywood is better than nothing, but it is not the home saver it is thought to be.  To be somewhat effective, plywood should be custom fit exactly to cover the window and screwed in at 18" intervals into the building structure itself, not screwed into the siding!   

Want Better Protection from Hurricanes?

According to FEMA the best protection is hurricane shutters, professionally installed, or hurricane screen fabric.  

Hurricane Truth or Myth: Leave a window open slightly during hurricane to equalize pressure

Have you ever been told that you should leave your windows slightly open when a hurricane strikes? People have long thought that leaving windows open during storms will relieve pressure and actually prevent their roofs from damage or even blowing completely off your home. But don't believe it! In fact, the opposite is true!    Windows should be tightly shut, and protected, to prevent any wind from entering the house.   

Here's Why You Shouldn't Believe the Myth About Open Windows Equalizing Pressure During Hurricanes  

When wind enters your home it will seek the path of least resistance. If the pressure from the hurricane winds is strong enough (and it can be very strong) then it can blow your roof off, damage your ceiling, blow off garage doors, or knock out windows.  The pressure of incoming wind can be greater than your roof's ability to withstand. Instead of equalizing the pressure in and outside your home, you end up unwittingly creating a high-pressure wind-powered geyser that can increase the pressure in your home and create more damage. 

Open Windows During a Hurricane Can Make Your Roof Take Flight… and Destroy Your Home! 

Apart from doors, windows are probably the largest openings, in your home. They are vulnerable to damage from debris and pressure.  Once wind gets through the window, it rapidly pushes into your home, building up pressure.  The wind begins to push up on the roof from inside the house at the same time the wind is blowing over the roof, which makes roofs act like airplane wings and generate lifting force. The result is a net upward force on the roofing system. This force is referred to as wind uplift.  Once the roof lifts off, the house can collapse; walls fall outward, making it look like the house exploded.    

July 2011
The Truth Behind the Vinyl Siding Vs. Fiber Cement Dispute

Sometimes we get asked about fiber cement siding and how it compares with vinyl.  Fiber cement is a heavy-duty, long-lasting material.  

But how does it compare with vinyl?  

We wrote up some comparisons, looked at the plusses and minuses, and we chose to offer vinyl over siding because we believe that vinyl is a superior option for Louisiana homeowners.  Here's how they add up: 

Why Vinyl Siding is a Better Option Than Fiber-Cement Siding for Home Improvement   What's Good About Fiber Cement?  

  • Imprinted designs imitate wood-grain
  • Heavier, strong siding
  • Is a cost-effective option when compared to a full-scale refurbishment of wood clapboard
  • Can be painted

Why Choose Vinyl over Fiber Cement? 

Cost.  Fiber cement siding is flat out expensive. In fact, it can be anywhere from 30% more to 3 times (3X!) the cost, requiring  more labor to install, so your costs  are higher.

Poor Insulation: fiber cement siding doesn't have the same kind of insulation options that vinyl does, especially insulated siding, and so it can't match the Energy savings of vinyl siding.

It needs painting. Most people don't want to have to keep painting their homes… after all, siding is supposed to reduce the amount of work you have to do on your home, right? Exterior painting is difficult and expensive.

Slower installation time than vinyl (though faster than refurbishing wood siding).

Expensive to install – installation is heavy, slow, tedious work. Installation requires multiple people and high labor costs.

Avoid Fiber Cement's Silica Dust and Mess!

Cutting fiber cement siding can create silica dust. Breathing silica dust can be dangerous to your health, and is thought to be linked to lung disease and cancer. Always wear safety goggles and a proper dust mask. Cleaning up this dust requires a vacuum with proper HEPA filter. Using power snips is preferred over saws whenever possible to eliminate dust.

June 2011
Does the Window Frame I Get Really Matter (and If So, Why Does It Matter?) 

A window frame impacts your energy bills, your safety, and will greatly affect the way your home will look for years to come.    The kind of materials that make up your window frame can be just as important as the type of glass you get. Did you know that your energy efficiency and the overall installation cost depends greatly on the kind of materials that make up the frame?  Many people tell me they have "good windows that are double paned and insulated".  What they forget to realize is that if they had better frames around their windows, they would have a much better result. Aluminum window frames are the most common because the aluminum is so cheap for a builder, and until recently, was the only option besides wood for a frame.   

The problem with aluminum is that instead of insulating your home and protecting you from the cold in winter and keeping out the hot air in summer, aluminum actually conducts heat and cold!

That's why soda cans are aluminum – if you put a Coke in the refrigerator, the aluminum lets the cold right through and makes the drink cold faster. It's great for a good cold Coke but bad for windows.  It is lightweight, and the cheapest of the materials offered, and requires little maintenance.  But, even with good insulated glass, it's not the best for energy efficiency due to the transfer of heat and cold.  

Wood is the traditional window frame material... but here's why LA residents should replace wood frames with vinyl window frames

These frames are both beautiful and can be energy efficient, when using efficient glass. However, wood frames can cost up to 2 or 3 times more than vinyl windows and require MUCH more maintenance.  With our heat and humidity, most wood windows begin to rot within 5 years.  Five years is not a lot of time for an important investment like windows. While wood doesn't conduct heat or cold like aluminum, wood does absorb moisture.  It acts like a sponge, and when water gets into the wood, it's only a matter of time before it starts to rot. To maintain wood you need to paint the frames over and over again – it can be a real problem.  Vinyl is a more energy efficient choice . They're easy to take care of… vinyl doesn't conduct heat or cold, like aluminum, and  doesn't rot, or need painting like wood.   When it comes to window frames, the best choice is…. vinyl .... (It's not even close!)    

June 2011
We Don't Install Siding the WRONG WAY:
A Few Tips for Installing Siding The Right Way (Use the Right Kind of Screws, Not Nails):   

Yes, I said screws.  We don't nail our siding on, we screw it on!  Siding, properly applied, is "hung" not nailed, so it can expand and contract with our Louisiana temperatures. You can tell that siding hasn't been installed properly when it is buckled and wavy.  At that point, you have to tear down the siding and start over. 

We use 1 3/4" ZINC screws that won't rust. Yes, I said screws.  We don't nail our siding on, we screw it on!  Siding, properly applied, is "hung" not nailed, so it can expand and contract with our Louisiana temperatures. You can tell that siding hasn't been installed properly when it is buckled and wavy.  At that point, you have to tear down the siding and start over.  

We use 1 3/4" ZINC screws that won't rust.  What a mess other screws make over time as they rust – it rains, and the rust starts to stain the side of your home, leaving big, ugly, bright orange marks.  

Remove and Replace Rotten Wood: Rotten wood should NEVER be covered over. Wood that is cracked, split, warped, or rotting needs to be cut out and changed before installing siding.  There are many disreputable people out there that simply cover over rotten wood when you're not looking.   The rotting wood on the side of your house cannot provide the kind of protection and energy savings you need, and it will form a weak foundation for your siding. Siding can easily come loose, and you can end up with more costly repairs. Rotting wood also tends to attract more pests and insect infestations. They burrow into your walls and form nests, and eat away and your home under your siding. By the time you realize you have a problem, you have a far more expensive repair bill on your hands.  We ALWAYS change out the wood first, Guaranteed! Before we install any siding we always check the exterior walls of your home to ensure that any problems are resolved.  By taking a little more care and time to thoroughly check your home, we ensure that you get the kind of benefits and protection you can depend on.

June 2011
Take Time Now, So You'll Be Ready!
Hurricane season is upon us!  Here at Jim Olivier's Home Improvement, safety is important to us, it just makes sense to be prepared.  Here's a few tips:

  1. Prepare a "take box" that includes important papers like passport, insurance, licenses, titles, large receipts, CDs or DVDs with important photos and videos, and other important records.  
  2. Discuss and have a disaster plan in place for your family. Review if-then scenarios like, "If our home is not safe and we can't reach each other by phone, we will meet at a specific address, and we will all leave messages with a specific friend or relative."
  3. Keep emergency food (about 3 days' worth) and an emergency radio for updates.
  4. Prepare your home for hurricane season by making sure that the sealing is tight and waterproofed on your windows, and installing hurricane shutters. Hurricane shutters are one of the best investments for those of us that live in striking distance of hurricanes.  
  5. Keep a generator or batteries or even waterproofed candles and matches on hand in case of power outages.

May 2011
Shutters Are One of the Best Investments For Hurricane Season

Whenever we hear that a hurricane is about to strike our community I see people lining up to buy boards to board up their homes. They cover their windows. They board up glass doors.  They spend a boatload of money on wood every season, and then they need to take the better part of a day or two to board up their house.  There's an easier way to prepare, Hurricane Shutters!  Not only can they be used when storms are approaching, but ANYTIME severe weather strikes!  They close in just minutes so you can spend your time preparing your family.  And they are hurricane rated for wind loads and impact.  Wood is not rated, in fact if not properly installed, it can become a projectile in a storm.

April 2011
What Makes a Quality Vinyl Siding? (How to Identify What Siding is Good, Better, and Best...)
Siding factor #1: The first thing to look at is the thickness.

The thickness, or gauge, of the vinyl is the key to its durability and cost. The thicker the vinyl is, the longer it lasts,  the better it withstands damage, and the more stable it is. Generally, the thicker the vinyl is, the more it costs. Builder grade siding is .040" thick.  At Jim Olivier Home Improvement, we offer 3 grades of siding:

  • Good: Mainstreet .042" – this is a great siding that offers lasting protection
  • Better: Monogram .044"—this is a thicker siding – stronger than Mainstreet, but not as strong as the highest grade
  • Best: Cedarboards .044" - our Best siding, and comes with fused foam backing  

Insulated siding is the most sturdy and durable because of the foam insulated backing.  

There is also another thickness of siding we refer to as "Super thick grade" that is as much as .050" thick. However, we find the super thick siding is too stiff when retrofitting a home, and doesn't lay well.  Our architectural trim pieces are up to .10 thick.

April 2011
Attics Can Trap Heat Like a Big Electric Blanket Over Your House.
Here's How To Help Your Attic Stay Cooler In the Summer, and Warmer in the Winter

You've probably heard that those tiny soffit vents are inefficient. Without the free passage of air, the attic can trap air and the radiant heat keeps the air as warm as 120 degrees or more.  Even after the sun goes down, the air can stay hot and keep making your cooling system work late into the night.   All of that heat makes life harder for your cooling system, and that ends up increasing your energy bills.

At Jim Olivier Home Improvement, we specialize in helping your attic breathe with a free flow system.  

Our free-flow system may seem simple, but there is a stroke of genius behind the design of our Invisivent Soffit system. It is engineered to provide an affordable solution that continues to keep bills low for the lifetime of your home.  

So here's how we make your attic "breathe", and lower your energy bills:

We cut a "free flow system" before we install your new, fully vented, soffits.  To create the free flow system, we:        
  • Make an opeing in the middle section of existing soffit, all the way around your house     
  • Then we custom fit the Invisivent Soffit system over your soffits     
  • With each panel being fully vented, you now have tremendously increased the space and volume of cooler air that will pass through into your attic. 
* Your attic will now "breathe" better!  Cooler air in....hotter air out!! 

Everyone knows that you can't expect your home to be efficient if you keep hot air locked up in your attic.   

Call us if you would like to learn more about how to reduce the impact of our hot climate on your attic. 

March 22, 2011
SOFFIT VENTS... ARE YOURS IN OR OUT? 

Most homes are built with solid wooden soffits, that have metal vents about 8 feet.  You KNOW how hot our attics get in the summer, you could fry an egg up there!  Cooler air is supposed to flow UP through those tiny vents to help cool your attic.  Many vents are installed improperly, with the vent facing towards the house because it looks better.  Check yours out, it should face outwards to capture cooler air flow.  Every panel of our invisivent soffit system is fully vented, so the cooler air can move freely into your attic through your overhangs. 

Cooler attics….lower energy bills.
It feels like spring, and we are all getting back into our yards and into the sunshine!  Check your house, especially your overhangs and around your windows, for rotten wood, and chipped or cracked paint..  Our humid climate and the lack of lead in paint wreaks havoc on our wood in South Louisiana.  Want a permanant solution.... insulated siding! Siding Will Only Last if It's Installed Right (And Most Siding is Poorly Installed)
We have a unique nailing hem on our insulated siding, which allows us to find the stud and screw it to the stud, every time. 
Our Studfinder Application
We hit a stud....every time!

Standard Siding Application 
Why drive nails into your house like a pincushion?
What a difference that makes!  And look at the benefits:     
  1. Eliminates piercing of wires which could cause a fire     
  2. Eliminates piercing of gas line (don't even want to think about that!)      
  3. Eliminates worries about siding blowing off your home during bad weather
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